The Allan Thorne Trophy

At the West Pennine AGM, held on Wednesday 8th February 2006 Kathryn Thorne presented the Allan Thorne Trophy. As you are maybe aware, Allan sadly died suddenly in September 2005 and Kathryn and their daughters wanted to give an annual Allan Thorne trophy award. The Committee decided that this would be a trophy which was nominated by the members of the Group and that the Thorne family would make the final decision as to the winner.

All nominations were sent to the Group Secretary and forwarded unopened to Kathryn and family. Kathryn said at the AGM that ‘she had been touched by the high regard in which Allan was held by the Group and that the family felt that the Allan Thorne award gives a long lasting fitting tribute to Allan. Everyone gives their time freely and doesn’t expect thanks or recognition. From the number of nomination forms returned it was shown that so many people deserve this award and it had been such a hard decision to make to have just one winner.

The person chosen has been with the group since very soon after its’ beginning, has held many positions within the group. This person is always smiling, is very positive, and Allan had always said that this person has so much common sense and is never fazed by events. The trophy itself, like Allan, is larger than life and has enough small shields on it to last for 20 years.’ Having said all this, Kathryn announced that the inaugural winner of the Allan Thorne Trophy is Norma Scholes. Norma was quite speechless, very surprised, but said that she very much appreciates receiving the trophy.